UN, Ukraine Presidents discuss ways to achieve peace

UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, has spoken with Ukrainian President, Petro Poroshenko, about the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine and continuing international efforts to mediate a peace in the war-torn region, a United Nations spokesperson has confirmed.

In a phone call yesterday, the two leaders discussed and agreed on the need for the full implementation of the so-called Package of Measures for the Implementation of the Minsk Agreements, which aims to broker an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire in Ukraine’s Donetsk and Lugansk regions.

Moreover, the Secretary-General also stressed the “urgent need for traction” on the political elements of these agreements for the betterment of the humanitarian situation on the ground. Meanwhile, regarding the possible creation of an international peacekeeping mission under a UN mandate, Mr. Ban reiterated that this would be a matter for the Security Council to decide.